Worth updating OS X?

[slitherjef]

So my MBP is old and slow, a 2011 pre retina model that I haven't updated since, well I bought the thing. Its running OS X version 10.8.5 and every time I boot the machine it says an update is available. High Sierra.

Is this worth updating to? I know Chrome has stopped giving me updates (just reads no longer supported). I mean for the most part everything is kind of fine, but some sites are starting to give me trouble logging in.

 

[andreyush]

El.Capitan is the best for your machine...Very stable and very snappy.. Sierra is meh and High Sierra is a big NO!

 

[slitherjef]

El.Capitan is the best for your machine...Very stable and very snappy.. Sierra is meh and High Sierra is a big NO!

How would I force the option for El Capitan? (That spelling don't seem right to me? )

 

[Fishrrman]

The absolute BEST "upgrade" for a 2011 MacBook Pro would be an SSD.

Cheap, easy, quick install (15 minutes with the right tools) -- so easy that even YOU can do it.

I'd suggest either El Capitan or Low Sierra (not "high") on the SSD, and leave it at that.

 

[treekram]

How would I force the option for El Capitan? (That spelling don't seem right to me? )

The spelling is correct - it's a rock formation in Yosemite National Park in California. You can download El Capitan from:

https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12

You need to have a working App Store app for this to work. You would download it and after it's done, an application will appear in your Applications folder called "Install OS X El Capitan". This app will install El Capitan on your computer. You can update your existing OS or do a completely new install. Ask if you need to know what the differences are.

Before actually doing the install after you download the app, you should copy "Install OS X El Capitan" to some external disk or flash drive. You should also be sure to have a current backup of your current disk.

 

[kohlson]

The absolute BEST "upgrade" for a 2011 MacBook Pro would be an SSD.

The last several Mac OS updates have been optimized for SSD. They seem to read/write small bits on a continuous basis. An HDD will work, but you'll really notice how much better (than when it was new) your Mac will be with an SSD.

 

[slitherjef]

The absolute BEST "upgrade" for a 2011 MacBook Pro would be an SSD.

Cheap, easy, quick install (15 minutes with the right tools) -- so easy that even YOU can do it.

I'd suggest either El Capitan or Low Sierra (not "high") on the SSD, and leave it at that.

Ram and SSD was upgraded shortly after I got the device. I could probably up both though